Stools - are they normal

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Hi all 

I’m 4 weeks post treatment my burns have cleared and I’m going to the toilet pretty regularly 

prior to diagnosis my stills were thin and stringy 

this apparent is one if the symptoms of anal cancer 

my question is … should my stools be back to normal prior to cancer as mine a still thin 

thank you all

  • Hello TommyT

    Your symptoms were the same as mine - skinny poos which led me to the doctor, and apart from feeling a bit tired I had no other symptoms.  And after treatment, skinny poos were essential as I had anal stenosis and just couldn't pass anything 'big' so I took Laxido every day to help with this.

    And it may well be that your back passage is still swollen from the treatment - you will be checked in a couple of months I should think and anything you are worried about, mention it to your oncologist. 

    I hope everything settles down for you, four weeks is early days!

    Irene xx

  • Hi Tommy,

    I am three years post treatment and my poos are still a bit thin, like a little dog's. I think our bottom gets scarred and so poo get squashed a bit skinnier to get through. As long as you are passing them ok, I wouldn't worry too much. It might get a bit better but I suspect you will also be doing little dog's poo too.

  • Hi 

    I am nearly ten weeks post treatment and my bowels haven’t been the same since. They were like you’re describing at first but gradually getting better. Imodium is your friend x

  • Thank you 

    I don’t need anything to assist me in that departure but just thought I would go back to normal before 

  • Hey x I am the opposite and take senna stool softener daily as eating normally and can’t handle constipation as sore bum with fissures every week. 
    Do what suits you but never trust anything is normal! 

    Keep smiling

  • Hi  ,

    I’m a little over 6 years post treatment & my poos are still skinnier than they used to be, this is most likely due to stenosis of the anal canal due to the radiotherapy. I’m not perturbed by this as I suffered awful constipation during & after my treatment, probably due to internal inflammation rather than true constipation & had to rely on stool softeners for 3 years + after my treatment so I’m just happy to be able to go without taking medication now. You’ll find as you heal that things may or may not return to normal but as long as you’re going regularly & without discomfort I wouldn’t worry too much. If you’re still concerned mention it at your next appointment with your team. 

    Nicola